The union claims passenger services, safety and accessibly are set to get worsen if Northern implements Driver Only Operation and remove guards from trains.

Northern rejects the union’s claims safety would be compromised and says the changes are necessary as part of a multi-million pound improvement programme.

General Secretary Mick Cash said: “It’s bad enough that Northern passengers have not seen any sign of the promised improvements but it is unforgivable that Northern are about to make matters worse by getting rid of guards who do so much to assist passenger service, safety and accessibility.

“RMT members will be protesting at stations across the north this week, kicking off today, to highlight our concerns about the attack on jobs and safety by the German state-owned Northern franchise and we will be calling on the Secretary of State for Transport to stop supporting these plans and reverse them.”

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Two days of strike action were held last week - the latest in the long-running campaign.

Northern deputy MD Richard Allan said: “We urge RMT to move away from its nationally co-ordinated campaign and allow its local representatives to engage in meaningful discussions with us on how we better serve customers on-board.

“We are still prepared to offer unprecedented guarantees of jobs and pay reviews until the end of our franchise in 2025, with the Government guaranteeing jobs beyond that if RMT ends strike action.”